Robert L. Jefferson

Born in 1868, Robert Louis Jefferson was a British traveler, writer, cyclist, and early motorist. Contemporary reference pages describe him as a noted cyclist and motorist as well as an author, and his surviving books show a strong interest in long-distance travel and the changing world of transport.

His travel writing drew on real expeditions. Works such as Roughing It in Siberia and A New Ride to Khiva suggest the mix that makes him memorable now: practical observation, curiosity about remote places, and the excitement of movement across difficult terrain. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, which fits the exploratory spirit of his books.

Jefferson died in Melbourne, Australia, on August 31, 1914, at about 46 years old. Later notices describe him as having been internationally known for cycling and motoring as well as for his writing, and that combination of adventure, technology, and travel still gives his work its distinctive energy.